The biggest eye opener I have learned from participating in the play “One Body” is that I must be myself no matter what. Despite what everyone is doing around me, I am a light unto the world and I should not conform to the acts that others are doing.

Presently, my focus is to pass the Certification Exam for Medical Assisting, while working on my pre-requisites to get into Nursing School. I still aspire to study for an Arts Degree in Choreography or Dance Therapy later on. In addition, I am also involved in the Announcements and Nursery Ministries at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

“From acting in the first 1 Body play, “1 Body, the Stage Play” I’ve learned how to get out of my comfort zone. At first it was uncomfortable playing a role so realistic to life, but I soon realized like any role, it is just a character telling a story to entertain but more so to help whoever is watching. One thing I took away was humility. It humbled me to be in a play with other teens my age with such a relevant story line. Knowing that one of us could experience a despairing fate based off of one or many bad decisions. On the other hand, I took away confidence. Acting in this play made me realize how much courage and talent I had to perform this play in front of a large audience more than one time. It was a big accomplishment for me and I would recommend acting in any 1 Body play; not just for fun and experience but also for growth within one’s self and growth with the spirit of God.”

What Niya is doing now:

She modeled in the Orlando Global Fashion Week at the Amway Center in December of 2018.

She is going into spring semester of her 3rd year at Florida A&M University studying Vocal Performance in hopes of becoming a professional vocal performer.

She’s currently in the process of producing my new single and an EP project.

“Through my involvement on the 1 Body Basketball team, I have learned a lot from all of my coaches, but most importantly my mentor Coach Mike who has always had my best interest at heart and is always supporting me on and off the court. When I first started, I just moved to Orlando and I didn’t know much about basketball and I also lacked the confidence and the skills, but by being in 1Body, I have become a more confident person on and off the court and gained tremendous leadership skills which propelled me to have the current position of captain on my school’s varsity basketball team as a sophomore. Furthermore, by listening to the speakers that shared their testimonies at our practices, it has highlighted the value of dedication, discipline, hard work and what you can potentially achieve through sports. I am very grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to be part of this great organization.” – Mariah Jones, Winter Springs High School class of 2021.